Living in the Spirit
October 16, 2015

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. –Hebrews 5:7-10

We are a society of privileged, entitled people. We do not see it in ourselves because it is our norm. We take for granted food on our tables, heat in the winter, cooling in the summer, clean water, showers every day or more, cars to drive with gas in the tank, health care available, insurance to pay for it, college for our children, and on and on until it is suddenly all gone. Fires on the west coast and floods on the east have resulted in people finding themselves with nothing of material substance. Most will have insurance and government disaster programs are available as is the generosity of friends and neighbors, but such loss causes a reordering of the things we value in life.

There are, of course, people who are a part of our society that do not share this same reality. They do not know where their next meal will come from, sleep on heat exhaust vents to keep warm in the winter, and wander into libraries or malls to cool down in the summer. There feet are their primary source of transportation, the emergency room their health care system.

Jesus was the son of God but he never took that for granted. He lived a life of reverent submission fully aware of his privileges and entitlements yet willing to give it all up in his quest to share the love of God with us. We are the heirs to his accomplishments and need to order our lives within the context of God’s love not the lesser life of privilege and entitlement. God wants everyone to enjoy the abundance of his love and that includes having food on every table.

Prayer: God of Justice, order our lives in your love and help us to see what is truly important and work to make that a reality for all. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.